Trillian

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Editors' Review

Trillian is one of the most popular and best-rated standalone IM programs because it works so well with so many different chat apps and social networks; from Skype to Facebook and Twitter, and AIM, ICQ, and XMPP. Trillian lets you follow your conversations on mobile devices and unfamiliar computers without compromising your security, and its transparent privacy policy helps keep you informed, as well as safe. Trillian is available in several packages: an ad-supported Free version, an ad-free, Cloud-enhanced Pro version with an annual subscription, and a Lifetime version. Users must be 13 or older to access Trillian's network. We tried the latest freeware release, Trillian 5.3, in Windows 7.

Trillian offers several setup options, and the installer automatically removes old files if you're upgrading. We declined the option to run Trillian when Windows starts since we like a fast, clean boot with minimal Internet queries, but heavy chatters may prefer to get right at it. The first step is to sign in or create a new account; the next involves entering user names and passwords for Windows Live Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, Skype, and other IM networks; and then just set up social networks: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Foursquare. Signing in is easy; just click the appropriate network or site and log on as usual. Trillian asks to access your data (accepted) and post to friends (declined) just like the networks you access, and we could also opt to stay signed in through Trillian. We configured the e-mail accounts we wanted Trillian to follow and pressed "Done." Electronic tones signaled the program's launch, and Trillian logged on and started following our conversations in a narrow window with browser-like features.

Trillian is so popular in part because it takes care of a nagging problem with chat apps: Too many apps and not enough chat. We're sure we still have forgotten accounts with some equally forgotten social networks; Trillian can help prevent that, and also the problem, perhaps more annoying, of falling behind in conversations because of forgetting to check a feed, site, or thread. So see for yourself why so many users stick with Trillian.

Excellent chat interface, many options, love the in-game chat. The trojan also does not attempt to connect to the internet or install any additional malware after the Trillian installation has finished. I guess that's a pro.

Cons

Trillian's installer is a trojan which downloads Claro Search adware, Babylon Toolbar spyware, and Claro Search Protect browser hijacker. You CANNOT opt out of the Claro installations, the Babylon installation is either optional or intermittent. I'm a computer tech so I offered to clean my friend's PC after he installed Trillian - his video games started crashing and his browser randomly went to unwanted websites. Not good.

After fixing the malware and DirectX (video game) corruption, we tested these issues by reinstalling Trillian. Both problems reappeared. So Trillian's installer is definitely a trojan downloader, and the in-game chat is definitely corrupting DirectX.

Finally, the file transfer feature does not work for Google Talk accounts. Not even from one Trillian client to another.

Summary

This software should not be installed by anyone who wants their PC to stay functional. You may lose DirectX's graphic rendering (video games, animation programs, etc.) and the bundled malware will compromise your PC's security. The malware offers an "uninstall" program, but it doesn't actually uninstall anything, it just pretends that it's been removed. Stay away.

None not very user friendly is an understatement. i could not even figure out how to use it.

Cons

It did not work could not figure out how it works or how to use it.

Summary

Like a lot of multi chat messengers which are not very user friendly,I could not even figure out how to use this one. Also it has an ugly icon. So forget Trillian and stick with Aim or Google Talk.Trillian is unusable I could not figure out how to use it and YOU won't be able to use it either.Andrea Borman.

Updated on Feb 16, 2013

Well Trilian is unusable.Never in a trillian years will you be able to use it.Andrea Borman.

- Provides access to many services- Notification Area icons for different services- Unobtrusive pop-ups- IRC support- Good customization available in the default skin

Cons

- No Push mail, relies on polling (So it seemed to me)- Does not have very good integration with Facebook messages- Relies on browser too much for some tasks- Seamless integration for file-sharing does not work as expected

Summary

I started using this very recently, and was quickly fascinated by the software. A desktop hub for chat is a pretty good idea. Especially one which is not the built in Windows 8 chat program.

While the interface is very good, the implementation seems haphazard. A word of caution here. I'm on my college's LAN here, which has a way to disrupt all but the securest of communications. However, even at the best of times, when speeds are extremely good, this software suffered from some glaring problems.

First and the most irritating was polling. No sane software should poll for mail anymore, especially seeing that it has an online presence of its own. I get mail on my phone a full two minutes before Trillian informs me that I have new mail. This is not good.

Second. The last message sent by someone on FB chat does not register as being read despite having been read by you on Trillian. I'm guessing that Trillian marks messages on B read after having sent your reply. This is bad. Your FB inbox and chat are not integrated, regardless of the integration done by FB itself.

Another problem was with the file sending system. It is not integrated. If you want to send someone a file over FB, go online and send it, which defeats the very purpose of Trillian.

While I did not test Trillian with Google Chat or IRC, the FB integration was bad enough to make me want to quit using this piece of code. The mobile version also did not perform as expected, so that kind of integration is gone too. In fact, you're probably better off having the tabs of all the relevant services open in your browser and their apps on your iPhone or Android phone.

I gave this 2.5 stars because the chatting experience, despite these problems, was not bad overall. However, as I already said, it requires more polish before it can become recommended.

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